How to save money on soaring plane fares & the day to book for cheapest prices

TRAVEL experts have revealed how to save money on trips next year and how to avoid travel disruption.

Airfares are currently on their way up, while this summer saw chaos at airports as countries once again opened their doors to visitors.

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However, there are ways to keep costs down and maximise chances of travelling unhindered.

Travel company Expedia have revealed the best time to book trips, the best days to fly and how to dodge the delays with their new travel hacks guide.

Here is what the travel booking site is recommending for travellers.

1. Book flights on Sundays

The day that travellers book their flights on can make a significant difference in the price of the tickets.

It turns out that those who book their flights on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 20 per cent on domestic flights.

The same is true for international flights, where booking on a Sunday is on average 10 per cent cheaper than on a Friday.

2. Book the right amount of time before a trip

Airfares tend to rise closer to the departure date, so it’s always a good idea to book them well in advance.

However, there is a sweet spot for snagging the best price on domestic flights.

That falls between 70-100 days before departure, or about 14 weeks in advance of travel.

Travellers that booked during that period tended to save 30 per cent on average compared to those who waited until the last minute (0 – 3 weeks before travel).

For international trips, travellers who booked around six months in advance of their holidays tended to save 20 per cent compared to those who waited until two months or less to book.

3. Depart on the right day of the week

It may not always be possible, but picking the departure day can also make a pretty big difference in ticket prices.

In general, travellers who started their domestic trips on a Saturday, versus the beginning of the week, saved 20 per cent on flights.

Meanwhile, for international flights, travellers who departed on a Friday saved 15 per cent on average.

4. Fly early in the morning

The time a flight departs could be crucial to avoiding delays or cancellations.

Expedia claims that travellers should aim for early flights if they want to increase their chances of taking off on time.

Based on year-to-date flight-status data, flights that depart before 11am are 11 per cent less likely to be impacted by flight cancellations.

5. Fly at the right time of year

As well as picking the right time of day, choosing the best time of year can also improve chances of both having a smooth flight and saving money.

Data shows that avoiding the peak travel periods can deliver more benefits than just cost-savings.

Historically, March is the most reliable month to travel, with the shortest average length of delays, compared to July with the highest (184 minutes on average).

Meanwhile another travel expert follows these three steps to keep their holiday costs down.

Booking a mystery holiday is another way to get a holiday for cheap.

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